Nozzle assemblies for atomizing and mixing different fluids and combining the mixture with solids and the like

ABSTRACT

Nozzle assemblies are provided which are effective for atomizing and mixing different or unlike fluids, and for combining the mixtures with solids and the like. The nozzle assemblies project the fluids, in the form of sprays or jets, which combine or mix at points or areas spaced forwardly of the nozzles, whereby clogging of the nozzles is avoided, and the separate fluids are prevented from contaminating each other within the nozzles or other parts of the assemblies. Nozzles of special or unique design are provided, which have an improved atomizing action.

This invention relates, as indicated, to nozzle assemblies for atomizingand mixing different fluids, and for combining such mixtures with solidsand the like.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a nozzle assembly of thecharacter described, which is effective to cause the sprays or jets ofatomized fluid to converge and mix at points spaced from the points atwhich atomization occurs, whereby backlash of the sprays or jets isinhibited, and contamination of the nozzle or nozzle assembly therebyavoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a nozzle assembly of thecharacter described, through the use of which several colors of paintmay be sprayed to produce special effects, such as speckled or spatteredfinishes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle assembly of thecharacter described, through the use of which a steady stream of aparticular type of fluid may be introduced to converge with the point orarea of convergence of the other fluids, and thereby assist in themixing of the other fluids.

A further object of the invention is to provide a nozzle assembly of thecharacter described, through the use of which solids, such as fibers andpowders, and the like, may be introduced into the mixture formed by theconverging sprays or jets of atomized fluids.

A still further object of the invention is to provide methods of mixingdifferent fluids and for the combining such mixtures with solids and thelike.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, andin which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a form of nozzleassembly, embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 3--3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the nozzle stem of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, but ofa modified form of nozzle assembly;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but of another modification;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 8--8 ofFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9--9 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the nozzle stem of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 6, but of still another modificationof the invention, and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken on the line 12--12 of FIG. 11.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings, anozzle assembly is shown, comprising a body of base 1, which is adaptedfor connection to a spray gun or the like.

The body or base 1 has a cylindrical extension 3 which is designed toreceive the stem 4 of a nozzle, which stem rests on the bottom 5a of arecess 5 in the base 1, this recess being of a diameter equivalent tothe diameter of the inner wall of the extension 3.

The stem 4 is drilled or bored to provide parallel passageways 6 and 7spaced equidistantly from the axis of the stem.

The stem 4 is also provided at its upper end with a conical surface 8which terminates at its upper end in a flat surface 9 of relativelysmall diameter as compared with the lower portion of the stem, thesurface 9 lying in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of thestem.

The passageways 6 and 7 extend from the lower end of the stem 4 to theconical surface 8.

A portion of the upper end of the stem 4, adjacent the passageway 6, ismilled or otherwise cut away to provide a space 10 which is defined by avertical wall 11 and a horizontal ledge 12. The passageway 16 extendsthrough the outer edge of the ledge 12, as at 13 (FIG. 4).

A portion of the upper end of the stem 4 adjacent the passageway 7 issimilarly milled or otherwise cut away to provide a space 14 which isdefined by a vertical wall 15, parallel with the wall 11, and a ledge16, which is coplanar with the ledge 12. The passageway 7 extendsthrough the outer edge of the ledge 16, as at 18 (FIG. 4).

The function of the spaces 10 and 14 will be presently explained.

The nozzle assembly further includes a disc-like cap or head 19 havingan annular flat upper surface 20 and a conical lower surface 21 of thesame conicity as the conical surface 8 of the stem 4. The surface 21 isadapted for seating on the surface 8, and when thus seated, the surface20 is coplanar with the surface 9 of the stem.

The intersection of the surfaces 20 and 21 provide a central circularopening 22 in the cap or head 19, which opening is coplanar with theflat upper surface 9 of the stem.

For the purpose of retaining the cap or head 19 seated on the conicalsurface 8 of the stem 4, a retainer ring or collar 23 is provided havinga central opening 24, this ring or collar being internally threaded, asat 25, for threaded securement to external threads 26 of the extension 3of the body or base 1.

The nozzle body or base 1 is provided with an inlet passageway 27 forentry into the base, of a fluid, such, for example, as an epoxy resin,and with a second inlet passageway 28 for entry into the base, of asecond fluid, such, for example, as a catalyst, which is normally usedin conjunction or combination with the epoxy resin, to form an epoxyglue.

The passageway 27 communicates with a passageway 29, through apassageway 30, which contains a one-way valve (not shown). Thepassageway 29 communicates with a port 31 which extends from theexterior of the stem 4 to the passageway 6.

The passageway 28 communicates with a passageway 32, through passageway33, which contains a one-way valve (not shown). The passageway 32communicates with a port 34, which extends from the exterior of the stem4 to the passageway 7, at a level lower than that at which thepassageway 29 communicates with the port 31.

In order to prevent fluid which enters the port 31 from leaking to theport 34, the stem 4 is provided with an annular recess 35, at a levelbetween the ports 31 and 34, in which recess an O-ring 36 is disposed,which bears resiliently against the outer wall of the recess 5.

The nozzle assembly which has been described is adapted, as previouslystated, for connection to a spray gun, which provides fluids, underpressure from a receptacle or pump, and which forces the pressurizedfluids upwardly through the passageways 6 and 7.

The fluid which passes through the passageway 6 enters the space 10through the opening 13. This fluid, as it enters the space 10, isdeflected by the conical surface 21 of the cap or head 19, andprojected, in the form of an atomized spray or jet, through the opening22 in the cap 19 and the opening 24 in the ring or collar 23, to a pointspaced from the surface 9 of the stem 4, as indicated in FIG. 2.

At the same time, the fluid which passes through the passageway 7 entersthe space 14 through the opening 18. This fluid, as it enters the space14, is deflected by the conical surface 21 of the cap or head 19, andprojected, in the form of an atomized spray or jet, through the opening22 in the cap 19 and the opening 24 in the ring or collar 23, to thesame point forwardly of the surface 9 of the stem 4, as the first fluid,as indicated in FIG. 2.

By thus causing the sprays or jets to converge and mix at a point spacedfrom the points at which atomization of the fluids occur, backlash ofthe sprays or jets is avoided, to thereby prevent contamination of thenozzle or other portions of the spray gun.

The nozzle assembly, as thus described, is adapted for spraying acombination of fluids, to provide special or unique effects, such asspeckled or spattered finishes or coatings.

In FIG. 5, a modification of the assembly is shown which is similar inall rspects to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but in which a central oraxial hole or passageway 37 is provided in the stem 4, into which aspatter fluid, as, for example, of a type which contains solvents andresins not compatible with the other two sprays, may be introduced, andprojected to the point of convergence of the other two sprays to mixwith such fluids. The spatter fluid will float and be exposed above thepainted background. The axial hole or passageway 37 could also beemployed for introducing solid materials, such as a reflective groundglass powder, when spraying catalyzed road stripe paint; or could beemployed for introducing fibres for the purpose of reinforcing rubberpaint or a polyester. The passageway 37 is supplied with a fluid throughpassageways 38 and 39 in the base 1.

If desired, or necessary, the diameter of the center hole or passageway37 could be enlarged to permit air driven fibers or powders to beintroduced into the sprays at their point or area of convergence ofmixing.

In FIGS. 6 to 10 inclusive, another modification is shown, in which abody or base 41 is provided, having a cylindrical extension 43, which isdesigned to receive the stem 44, which rests on the bottom 45 of arecess 46 in the base 41, this recess being of a diameter equivalent tothe diameter of the inner wall of the extension 43.

The stem 44 is drilled or bored to provide parallel passageways 46 and47 spaced equidistantly from the axis of the stem.

The stem 44 is also provided at its upper end with a conical surface 48,which terminates at its upper end with a flat surface 49 ofsubstantially square contour, it being noted, however, that the conicalsurface 48 extends to the surface 49 at the corners 50, 51, 52 and 53 ofthe surface 49 (see FIG. 10), for a purpose to be presently explained.The surface 48 lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of thestem 44.

The passageways 46 and 47 extend from the lower end of the stem 44 tothe conical surface 48.

A portion of the upper end of the stem 44 is milled or otherwise cutaway to provide a space 54 which is defined by a vertical wall 55 and ahorizontal ledge 56. The passageway 46 extends through the outer edge ofthe ledge 56, as at 57 (FIGS. 9 and 10).

A portion of the upper end of the stem 44 adjacent the passageway 47 issimilarly milled or otherwise cut away to provide a space 58 which isdefined by a vertical wall 59, parallel with the wall 55, and a ledge 60which is coplanar with the ledge 56. The passageway 47 extends throughthe outer edge of the ledge 60, as at 61.

The function of the spaces 54 and 58 will be presently explained.

The stem 44 is also drilled or bored to provide parallel passageways 62and 63 spaced equidistantly from the axis of the stem, but disposedcircumferentially 90° from the passageways 46 and 47 (see FIG. 10). Thepassageways 62 and 63 extend from the lower end of the stem 44 to theconical surface 48.

The portion of the upper end of the stem 44 adjacent the passageway 62is milled or otherwise cut away to provide a space 64 which is definedby a vertical wall 65 (FIG. 8) and a horizontal ledge 66. The passageway62 extends through the outer edge of the ledge 66, as at 67 (FIGS. 9 and10).

A portion of the upper end of the stem 44 adjacent the passageway 63 issimilarly milled or otherwise cut away to provide a space 68 which isdefined by a vertical wall 69, parallel with the wall 65, and ahorizontal ledge 70, which is coplanar with the ledges 56, 60 and 66.The passageway 63 extends through the outer edge of the ledge 70, as at71.

The function of the spaces 64 and 68 will be presently explained.

The nozzle assembly further includes a disc-like cap or head 72 havingan annular flat upper surface 73 and a conical lower surface 74 of thesame conicity as the conical surface 48 of the stem 44. The surface 74is adapted for seating on the surface 48, and when thus seated, thesurface 73 is coplanar with the surface 49 of the stem.

The intersection of the surfaces 73 and 74 provide a central circularopening 75 in the cap or head 72 which opening is coplanar with the flatupper surface 49 of the stem.

For the purpose of retaining the cap or head 72 seated on the conicalsurface 48 of the stem 44, a retainer ring or collar 76 is providedhaving a central opening 77, this ring or collar being internallythread, as at 78, for threaded securement to external threads 79 of theextension 49 of the body or base 41.

The nozzle body or base 41 is provided with an inlet passageway 80 forentry of a fluid into the passageway 46 through a port 81, and with aninlet passageway 82 for entry of a fluid into the passageway 47 througha port 83.

The body or base 41 is also provided with an inlet passageway 84 forentry of a fluid into passageway 62 through a port 85, and with an inletpassageway 86, for entry of a fluid into passageway 63 through a port87.

The passageways 80 and 82 are sealed from communication with each otherby means of an O-ring 88, while the passageways 84 and 86 are sealedfrom communication with each other by an O-ring 89, and the passageways82 and 84 are sealed from communication with each other by an O-ring 90.

The nozzle assembly of FIGS. 6-10 is adapted for connection to a spraygun which provides fluids under pressure from receptacles or pump, andwhich forces the pressurized fluids upwardly through the passageways 46,47, 62 and 63.

These fluids enter the spaces, 54, 58, 64 and 68 through the openings57, 61, 67 and 71, are deflected by the conical surface 74 of the cap orhead 72, and projected in the form of atomized sprays or jets throughthe opening 75 in the cap or head 72, and the opening 77 in the ring orcollar 76, to a point spaced from the surface 49 of the stem 44, asindicated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

By thus causing the sprays or jets to converge and mix at a point orarea spaced from the points at which atomization of the fluids occur,backlash of the sprays or jets is avoided, and contamination of thenozzle or other portions of the spray gun inhibited.

Due to the fact that the conical surface 48 extends to the surface 49 atthe corners 50, 51, 52 and 53, there can be no communication or transferof fluids between the spaces 54, 58, 64 and 68, and assurance is thushad that the sprays or jets are not intermixed or combined before theyreach a common point or area spaced forwardly of the surface 49 of thestem 44.

In that form of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the nozzleassembly comprises a body or base 91, having a cylindrical extension 92which is designed to receive the stem 93, which rests on the bottom 94of a recess 95 in the base 91.

The stem 93, in this instance, is drilled or bored to provide parallelpassageways 96 and 97, spaced equidistantly from the axis of the stem.

The stem 93 terminates at its upper end in a seat comprising a flatcircular central portion 98, and a conical portion 99, which extendsfrom the periphery of the portion 98 to the external surface of thestem.

The passageways 96 and 97 extend to the conical portion 99 of the seat.

The seat as thus described has seated thereon a cap or head 100, thelower surface of which is contoured to snugly engage the seat, and isprovided with ports 101 and 102, which extend through the cap or head100, and communicate respectively with the upper ends of the passageways96 and 97.

The ports 101 and 102 are angulated to provide for passage therethroughof sprays or jets of different fluids, which, under pressure, are sodirected as to meet and mix with each other at a common point or areaspaced forwardly from the cap or head 100, as indicated in FIG. 12.

For the purpose of retaining the cap or head 100 in properly seatedposition, a ring or collar 103 is provided, which is threadedly securedto threads 104 of the extension 92, and has an inwardly and downwardlydirected annular flange 105 which engages the peripheral portion of thecap or head. The cap or head has a central opening 106, through whichthe sprays or jets emerging from the ports 101 and 102 are projected.

This form of the invention provides a somewhat different manner foruniting or mxing unlike fluids at a sufficient distance from theorifices or ports 101 and 102 to prevent clogging of the ports andcontamination of the nozzle.

The cap or head 102 may be molded from a sintered powdered metal, andthe size of the ports or orifices, as well as their angularitydetermined or varied to produce any desired effect.

In this form of the invention, moreover, nozzle assemblies of very smallsize can be made.

The nozzle assemblies, as thus described, can be used for a variety ofpurposes, as, for example, mixing resins, such a rubber, with Dacronfibers, mixing polyesters with fibreglass or other strong fibers, mixingtwo or more component materials each of which depends on the other orothers to form polymerized compounds, and for the purpose ofincorporating beads in road striping paints or paint mixtures.

It is thus seen that I have provided nozzles or nozzle assemblies whichare well adapted for atomizing and mixing different or unlike fluids,and for combining such mixtures with solids and the like.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shownand described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement ofparts thereof, without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:
 1. In a nozzle assembly ofthe character described, a body having passageways for flow of separatefluids therethrough, a nozzle or stem mounted in said body and havingparallel passageways communicating with said first-named passageways,said stem having a conical surface at its upper end, said second-namedpassageways terminating at said conical surface, said stem having spacesoffset inwardly from said terminal ends of said second-namedpassageways, but in communication with said terminal ends, and a capmounted on said stem and having a conical lower surface seated on saidfirst-named conical surface, and effective to cause fluids emerging fromsaid second-named passageways to be diverted into said spaces.
 2. Anozzle assembly, as defined in claim 1, including means secured to saidbody for maintaining said cap in said seated position.
 3. A nozzleassembly, as defined in claim 2, wherein said stem is milled at itsupper end to provide a plurality of said spaces, which arenon-communicating with each other, and said cap is effective to preventsuch communication.
 4. In a nozzle assembly of the character described,a nozzle stem having passageways for flow of separate fluidstherethrough, said stem having a conical surface at its upper end, saidpassageways terminating at said conical surface, said stem having spacesoffset inwardly from said terminal ends of said passageways, but incommunication with said terminal ends, and a cap mounted on said stemand having a conical lower surface seated on said first-named conicalsurface, and effective to cause fluids emerging from said terminal endsof said passageways to be diverted into said spaces.
 5. A nozzleassembly, as defined in claim 4, including means for securing said capin seated position on said stem.
 6. A nozzle assembly, as defined inclaim 5, wherein said stem is milled at its upper end to provide aplurality of said spaces, which are non-communicating with each other,and said cap is effective to prevent such communication. .Iadd.
 7. In anozzle assembly of the character described, a body having passagewaysfor flow of fluids therethrough, a nozzle or stem mounted in said bodyand having passageways communicating with said first-named passageways,said stem having a conical surface at its upper end, said second-namedpassageways terminating at said conical surface, said stem having spacesoffset inwardly from said terminal ends of said second-namedpassageways, but in communication with said terminal ends, and a capmounted on said stem and having a conical lower surface seated on saidfirst-named conical surface, and effective to cause fluids emerging fromsaid second-named passageways to be diverted into said spaces..Iaddend..Iadd.
 8. A nozzle assembly as defined in claim 7, includingmeans secured to said body for maintaining said cap in said seatedposition. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 9. A nozzle assembly, as defined in claim 8,wherein said stem is milled at its upper end to provide a plurality ofsaid spaces, which are non-communicating with each other and said cap iseffective to prevent such communication. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 10. In anozzle assembly for use in connection with a paint spray gun, a nozzlestem having a passageways for flow of fluids therethrough, said stemhaving a conical surface at its upper end, said passageways terminatingat said conical surface, said stem having spaces offset inwardly fromsaid terminal ends of said passageways but in communication with saidterminal ends, and a cap mounted on said stem and having a conical lowersurface seated on said first-named conical surface, and effective tocause fluids emerging from said terminal ends of said passageways to bediverted into said spaces. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 11. A nozzle assembly, asdefined in claim 10, including means for securing said cap in seatedposition on said stem. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 12. A nozzle assembly, as definedin claim 11, wherein said stem is milled at its upper end to provide aplurality of said spaces, which are non-communicating with each other,and said cap is effective to prevent such communication. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 13. An airless spray painting nozzle for atomizing a liquid paintcomprising a stem having a longitudinal axis, a frustoconical surface atone end of said stem, said frustoconical surface having a conicalsurface extending longitudinally to and terminating at a lateral endface, separated spaces extending laterally into said stem from saidconical surface toward said longitudinal axis and extendinglongitudinally into said stem from said lateral end face, liquid paintpassages extending longitudinally through said stem and terminating atsaid spaces, a cap having a matching conical lower surface seated onsaid conical surface of said stem, said conical lower surface beinglongitudinally aligned with the locations at which said passagesterminates at said spaces so that liqud paint discharged from saidpassages impinges upon said conical lower surface. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14.An airless spray painting nozzle as set forth in claim 13, said passagesterminating at the juncture of said stem conical surface and said lowerconical surface. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 15. An airless spray painting nozzle asset forth in claim 13, wherein said conical surfaces cooperating tomaintain said spaces in non-communicating relation with one another..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 16. An airless spray painting nozzle for atomizing aliquid paint comprising a stem having a longitudinal axis, a conicalsurface at one end of said stem, a cap having a matching conical lowersurface seated on said conical surface of said stem, cylindrical liquidpaint passages extending longitudinally through said stem andterminating at locations at the juncture of said conical surfaces, saidcap and said stem including laterally extending spaces at saidlocations, said passages terminating at an elliptical openings definedby said cylindrical passages and by said conical lower surface..Iaddend..Iadd.
 17. An airless spray painting nozzle for atomizing aliquid paint comprising a stem having a longitudinal axis and alongitudinally facing end surface, liquid flow passages for carryingsaid liquid paint substantially in the absence of air or other gas, saidpassages extending longitudinally through said stem and terminating at apassage openings at said end surface, an inclined wall longitudinallyaligned with each of said passage openings, said inclined wall extendingin a direction longitudinally away from each of said passage openingsand laterally toward said longitudinal axis, said inclined wall beingconstructed and arranged so that said liquid paint discharged from eachof said passage openings impinges upon said inclined wall, said inclinedwall terminating at a first laterally extending edge spacedlongitudinally and laterally away from each of said passage openings,said first laterally extending edge facing in a direction toward saidlongitudinal axis, and a second laterally extending edge spacedlongitudinally and laterally away from each of said passage openings,said second laterally extending edge facing in a direction away fromsaid longitudinal axis, and said laterally extending edges each beingdisposed in a plane which is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 18. An airless spray painting nozzle as set forth inclaim 17, including a three-dimensional space between each of saidpassage openings and said first and second edges. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 19. Anairless spray painting nozzle as set forth in claim 18, said first andsecond edges being coplanar and intersecting to cooperatively define anend opening associated with each of said passage openings, and each ofsaid end openings being spaced longitudinally from said associatedpassage opening, and said three-dimensional spaces being between saidpassage openings and said end openings. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 20. An airlessspray painting nozzle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said end surfaceis conical. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 21. An airless spray painting nozzle as setforth in claim 17, wherein said inclined surface is conical..Iaddend..Iadd.
 22. An airless spray painting nozzle as set forth inclaim 17, wherein said first laterally extending edge is semicircular..Iaddend..Iadd.
 23. An airless spray painting nozzle as set forth inclaim 17, wherein said second laterally extending edge is straight..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 24. An airless spray painting nozzle for atomizing aliquid paint comprising a stem having a longitudinal axis and alongitudinally facing end surface, liquid flow passages for carryingsaid liquid paint substantially in the absence of air or other gas, saidpassages extending longitudinally through said stem and terminating atpassage openings at said end surface, an inclined wall longitudinallyaligned with each of said passage openings, said inclined wall extendingin a direction longitudinally away from said passage openings andlaterally toward said longitudinal axis, said inclined wall beingconstructed and arranged so that liquid paint discharged from saidpassage openings impinges upon said inclined wall, a laterally extendingedge spaced longitudinally and laterally away from each of said passageopenings, said edge facing said inclined wall, said inclined wall atleast partially defining three-dimensional spaces associated with saidpassage openings, and said three-dimensional spaces being disposedbetween said associated passage openings and said edge. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. An airless spray painting nozzle as set forth in claim 24, saidlaterally extending edge at least partially defining end openingsassociated with said passage openings, and said end openings beingspaced longitudinally from said passage openings, and saidthree-dimensional spaces being between said passage openings and saidend opening. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 26. An airless spray painting nozzle asset forth in claim 24, said end surface and said inclined wall eachbeing conical. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 27. An airless spray painting nozzleassembly comprising a stem and a cap, said stem having a conicalsurface, liquid flow passages extending through said stem andterminating at spaced locations at said conical surface, said cap havinga matching conical surface seated on said conical surface of said stem,said conical surface and said matching conical surface cooperativelydefining elliptical nozzle openings, said stem including a radial wallintersecting said conical surface of said stem, said passagesintersecting said radial wall, and said nozzle openings being atintersections of said passages and said radial wall. .Iaddend.